Vasculitis
Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2009 11:38 pm
Good evening!
I met with a new doc today here in Phoenix. After meeting with my rheumatologist a few weeks ago he suggested that I follow-up with Mandi Conway with Associated Retinal Consultants. He has a few patients in common with her that he has treated for iritis. I'd remembered seeing her name in one of your forums so I thought she would be a good fit for the eye care I need here in Arizona. She is fairly new to the valley, came from Tucson (Univ of Ariz) and before that from New Orleans. Here is her bio: http://www.associatedretinaconsultants. ... conway.htm She was very glad to hear about my visit with Dr. Vitale, and is aware of his expertise as well as Dr. Foster. She did a very thorough history, reviewed my medical notes, and did a comprehensive exam. I was at the office for over 3 hours! She did discover an area of vasulitis in my rt retina. She says that this is not associated with HLA-B27 or non-granulomatous uveitis, that it is more indicative of another autoimmune pathway, possible Lupus. She took different types of "pictures" of my retina so that she can document a baseline and see how my eye changes as flares occur... she said that she could see a cataract forming on my right eye, which is something that my other opthamologist kept telling me was bound to happen after so much inflammation and cortico-steroid treatment. (The double-edged sword!)
She says to get on Celebrex and soon as possible. I'm just going to pay for the dang stuff myself (out of my HSA), at least a month's supply, in the morning. I'm tired of jumping through hoops with the infuriating insurance company. Dr. Vitale's office and my rheumatologist both sent more paperwork to them last week to appeal the denial... but I'm tired of waiting.
Here's my question for the day: if there is evidence of vasculitis in my eye, do I need to seek further examination for other system or organ involvement? In other words if the vessels in my eye have been affected is there a chance that there are vessels in other organs of my body that might be affected as well? I guess the plot thickens!?!
Thanks, Mike! Hope you have a good night,
Tammie
I met with a new doc today here in Phoenix. After meeting with my rheumatologist a few weeks ago he suggested that I follow-up with Mandi Conway with Associated Retinal Consultants. He has a few patients in common with her that he has treated for iritis. I'd remembered seeing her name in one of your forums so I thought she would be a good fit for the eye care I need here in Arizona. She is fairly new to the valley, came from Tucson (Univ of Ariz) and before that from New Orleans. Here is her bio: http://www.associatedretinaconsultants. ... conway.htm She was very glad to hear about my visit with Dr. Vitale, and is aware of his expertise as well as Dr. Foster. She did a very thorough history, reviewed my medical notes, and did a comprehensive exam. I was at the office for over 3 hours! She did discover an area of vasulitis in my rt retina. She says that this is not associated with HLA-B27 or non-granulomatous uveitis, that it is more indicative of another autoimmune pathway, possible Lupus. She took different types of "pictures" of my retina so that she can document a baseline and see how my eye changes as flares occur... she said that she could see a cataract forming on my right eye, which is something that my other opthamologist kept telling me was bound to happen after so much inflammation and cortico-steroid treatment. (The double-edged sword!)
She says to get on Celebrex and soon as possible. I'm just going to pay for the dang stuff myself (out of my HSA), at least a month's supply, in the morning. I'm tired of jumping through hoops with the infuriating insurance company. Dr. Vitale's office and my rheumatologist both sent more paperwork to them last week to appeal the denial... but I'm tired of waiting.
Here's my question for the day: if there is evidence of vasculitis in my eye, do I need to seek further examination for other system or organ involvement? In other words if the vessels in my eye have been affected is there a chance that there are vessels in other organs of my body that might be affected as well? I guess the plot thickens!?!
Thanks, Mike! Hope you have a good night,
Tammie